MIND GAMES
The voice in my head can be invasive and controlling. She's loud, causes me to overthink, and – at times – drags me out of the present moment and spirals me into a disillusioned mindset. I lose my sense of self and become my biggest enemy. In trying not to alienate anyone, I end up alienating myself. July 2019, I was sitting on a massive, grassy hill at Dolores Park in San Francisco, surround by overwhelming amount of unfamiliar, joyous faces basking in the summer sun, co-existing harmoniously. It was a perfect day; the sky was blue; the air was crisp; the few clouds in the sky were plump and bright white. I observed strangers unbothered by one another. I couldn't help but appreciate the pureness of the moment with a silent mind – unusual. Weeks earlier I heard a quote, and it’s stuck with me since:
"LIFE IS A SINGLE-PLAYER GAME" Depressing, bitter, lonely. These were my initial thoughts. Isn’t life a game best played with others? Isn’t that the point? Sitting in Dolores Park, in-tune with my surroundings, helped me find stability and value for these words to live in my identity. All along, I’d forgotten to take time to recognize my presence, hear myself breathe, and feel my physicality because my mind can be so overwhelmingly powerful. Art by Will Biermann
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